Deity of War Tomb (2)

Rasoul and his crew stared down the formidable beast with unwavering confidence. Even though it was no run-of-the-mill creature, Rasoul understood the need to endure and grow stronger. His plan? Amass resources for forging new alliances.

The Master of Eternity had forewarned him about looming powerful adversaries targeting him and his loved ones. Rasoul was determined to create a squad of unique allies to stand by him during those challenging times. No stepping back – he was ready for a brawl.

The tension hung thick as Rasoul decided to break the ice with a playful jab.

"Hey there, Mr. Beast, I know it sounds kinda strange, but we're the good guys. Our gig is taking down the bad ones to protect the good ones. If you're up for joining this rad team, just surrender peacefully. We'll treat you with respect, won't we, guys?" Rasoul turned to his comrades.

They shot him a weird look, but Rasoul shrugged it off and kept on, "If you go against us, you're in for a showdown. Make a wise call 'cause your life's on the line."

Master Julius had drilled into Clay the power of words over violence. Even though diplomacy seemed like a long shot today, Rasoul gave it a whirl to put his master's teachings to the test. Surrender from the beast would be a walk in the park for him and his crew.

But as much as he hoped for a peaceful resolution, the beast opted for violence, its eyes ablaze with dark flames as it lunged at Rasoul.

Swiftly unsheathing his swords, Rasoul leaped towards the creature. Riding the momentum, he soared into the air, launching an attack. "Elemental Annihilation Slash: Second Move - Thunderous Torrent" – a blend of water and lightning energy sliced from his sword, hitting the beast's side and hurling it backward.

Sabrat melted into the shadows, reappearing behind the beast to slash his dagger at its leg. This move triggered the creature to dash forward, but before it could, a beam of pure golden light struck it on the side.

Lara unsheathed her sword, slashing with a radiant light that dealt significant damage to the creature. Seeing the opportunity, Rasoul tapped into his light and earth element and unleashed an ability. "Elemental Annihilation Slash: Third Move - Radiant Quake"... The attack shook the ground beneath the beast, disrupting its movements and paving the way for Sabrat to land a series of deadly dagger strikes.

With Lara's light interfering with the creature's dark power, Sabrat's swift assaults, and Rasoul's strategic control, the beast found itself cornered, unable to mount any counteroffensive. It held its ground for a full five minutes until a sudden surge of dark aura exploded from its body, overpowering Lara's light.

Abruptly, the earth quivered, and eerie shadow figures materialized from the darkness. Sabrat swiftly identified them, stating, "Shadow demons."

Rasoul confirmed with his mind's eye:

[Shadow Demons - Ethereal]

[Realm: Alpha Beast]

[Bloodline: None]

[Description: Ethereal Demons that use shadows to attack]

Shadow demons, a rare and treacherous breed, concealed themselves within shadows. Their proficiency in assassination stemmed from their ability to traverse through darkness, catching their prey off guard. Rasoul, fully aware of Sabrat's shadowy skills, promptly issued commands to his comrades.

"Lara, keep your guard up. These demons slip through shadows... Sabrat, you know the drill."

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Rasoul swiftly activated his domain, encompassing a 100-meter radius. The goal: to slow down the shadows, providing an opening for Sabrat to strike. Lara, too, enveloped herself in a protective golden light, a formidable defense against dark abilities.

Leveraging his immense agility, Rasoul began thinning the ranks of the shadow demons. Yet, as he continued to cut them down, more emerged. Rasoul recognized that all he could do was buy time.

At that moment, the significance of his necromancer class dawned on him. What once seemed like a front to deceive his foes now held newfound value – the demons kept resurrecting after being slain, revealing the potential of his necromantic abilities.

Seizing the opportunity, Lara, as the Light Goddess, unleashed powerful strikes against the beleaguered beast.

Sabrat stealthily maneuvered to the heart of the battlefield, activating his latest skill that granted him control over minions summoned by adversaries. Pouring a substantial amount of mana into it, he ensured the ability would work against the formidable beast. Maintaining control over others demanded a steady mana supply. Now with the shadows almost under his command, Rasoul initiated plan B.

Drawing the beast's attention away, Rasoul readied his abilities. Two minutes later, Sabrat successfully established control over the shadow demons, promptly directing them to assault the creature.

Seeing the opportunity, Lara swiftly unleashed her 'Ethereal Bolts' ability. Rasoul, catching on, momentarily diverted the beast's focus, allowing Lara to strike. The lightning bolt threw the creature off balance, giving Sabrat the opening he needed. He leaped into the air, driving his dagger deep into the beast's gut and twisting it for a more profound cut.

The creature struggled for a few seconds, but its fate was sealed the moment Sabrat's dagger pierced its abdomen.

Ding...

[Your Subordinate Sabrat has slain an Abyssal Roarbeast Darkness Fire Lion]

[Realm: Great Beast]

[Rewards:]

>100,000 Fire Points

>1000 Attribute points

>100,000 EXP

Ding...[The host has received a Gold Rank Drop]

Rasoul swiftly snatched the golden orb and smashed it. A piece of paper emerged from the shattered remains.

Ding...

[Tomb of Chaos Map has been formed. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a map of the tomb.]

[Does the host wish to learn this map?]

> Yes

> No

'Yes'

[Congratulations, Host, for learning a new map.]

As the information flowed into Rasoul's mind, he gained insight into their surroundings, pinpointing their current location and learning the paths to navigate out. Moreover, he unearthed concealed spots in the forest, apparently guarded by the Great Beasts.

To craft new subordinates, a hefty resource supply was essential, and the most strategic approach involved taking calculated risks. Rasoul swiftly gathered the corpse and core of the beast they just killed, stashing them in his space ring.

"Alright, that's the first of many beasts we'll be taking with us. We still have plenty of resources to gather, so why don't we embark on a little hunting trip? Could be fun," Rasoul suggested to his subordinates, noticing their joy in fighting alongside him.

"Alright, let's go," Sabrat was the first to respond.

"I hope this turns out to be at least entertaining," Lara remarked with a hint of excitement, then walked away. Rasoul followed suit.

As they headed towards their next target, Rasoul generously tossed some soul-nourishing spirit fruits to his companions, keeping the spirits high. Unbeknownst to Rasoul, Lara, and Sabrat, a group of 27 individuals had witnessed their skirmish with the beast and were impressed by their coordinated teamwork.

*****

Meanwhile, in the Sundance Kingdom, a crucial meeting unfolded within the ornate golden hall, gathering the seven great families. Old Charles banged the table, frustration etched across his face.

"Damn it! How in the hell are those three still breathing? Our guys assured us the assassination was a success. How the hell did they pull through?"

Old Xian, the head of the Xian family, coolly remarked, "Isn't it crystal clear? They must've played dead so convincingly that even our sharp assassins were fooled. Our priority now is to strategize for the next encounter."

"But what if we're powerless? It's evident they've got their sights on our people within the tomb. Whether they snag the legacy depends on their ability to tackle those three. We need a backup plan in case things go south, and let's pray they don't lay hands on that legacy," suggested the head of the Cilas Family.

Old Ben chimed in, baffled, "This is a disaster. How did they survive against 7 Semi-Saint Assassins? Escaping from a single saint is one thing, but seven? I'm starting to think those three are way more mysterious than we first believed."

"We've got to play this smart. A slip-up could blow up in our faces and bring our families down. I've got word that the first princes are rallying behind Princess Vina for the throne. Given her closeness to those three, any hasty move on our part might provoke retaliation," Old Charles cautioned, his worry evident.

"What we should focus on is digging up some dirt we can use against them. Even if they lay hands on the legacy, having leverage means we can snatch it right back," proposed the head of the Johnson Family. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he aimed to exploit Rasoul and his friends, steering them into a corner where pleading for mercy becomes their only way out.

Old Xian questioned, "But where do we find something like that? They're like shadows, barely leaving a trace."

"If we can't find it, we create it. We need to ensure that, no matter how this expedition pans out, those three experience a pain that makes them think twice before crossing us again – assuming they live through it," Old Charles added with a malevolent tone.

*****

In an underground prison-like setting, two shadowy figures rendezvous in an unplanned meeting.

"Is everything set?" inquired a man donned in a black cloak, his face concealed beneath a hood.

"Yes, sir. Our men are in position. We're just waiting for the king's signal, and we'll eliminate him," responded another figure draped in black.

"Good. Hold tight for now. Once the expedition concludes, we'll make our move. The King of Sundance must perish, and soon our Porter Kingdom shall reign supreme in the empire," declared the cloaked figure in a chilling tone.

"Inform the other kingdoms; a crucial decision awaits them," he added.

The second figure inquired, "What about our allies? Will they join us in this endeavor?"

"If all goes as planned, we won't require their assistance. Now, attend to your duties," the figure instructed before leaving.

These two individuals are part of The Shadow Guards, the most formidable assassination unit in the Porter Kingdom. Their expertise lies in executing high-profile targets, with the next in line being the sage-ranked King of Sundance. Their ultimate goal is to seize control of the kingdom upon the king's demise. Little do they know, the future queen of the Sundance Kingdom has forged an alliance with three enigmatic individuals, set to thwart their ambitious plans.

******

With the entire tomb's layout mapped in his mind, Rasoul and his comrades cautiously approached the first hidden spot. They came to a stop around 200 meters from the entrance, mainly due to the imposing guardian on duty.

The creature resembled a bizarre amalgamation of a scorpion and a spider, boasting a human face and an impressive 16 legs. Its eyes were abyss-black, and it wielded an elongated claw crafted from a sinewy metallic material. The creature's back was shielded by thick scales, impervious even to a piercing spear. Its segmented tail, comprised of 16 parts, moved with the calculated precision of a hunter on the prowl. Fully aware of the formidable foe they were about to face, Rasoul turned to his friends after scrutinizing the details.

[Arachnoquill]

[Realm: Great Beast]

[Bloodline: Arachnidus]

[Description: The Arachnoquill, born of the ancient Bloodline of Arachnidus, melds the cunning instincts of scorpion and spider, blending predatory prowess with an eerie intelligence that establishes it as a fearsome and elusive predator in the realms of the unknown.]

"How in the world are we supposed to take down that monstrosity?"